The
Zambezi River which stretches from Angola to the Indian Ocean
in Mozambique is threatening to displace thousands of families
in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Namibia following
the heavy rains experienced in the last few weeks.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
has released more than 270,000 Swiss Francs (US$ 216,000, €
166,000) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund for Angola,
Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia in the past few weeks. It may
soon be calling for more financial support as the situation
continues to deteriorate.
The Drought Monitoring Centre, a climate-based organization
which receives rainfall data from all parts of the world, said
the central sector of the Southern Africa region should expect
occasional rains over the greater part of that area up until
February 21.
The Zimbabwe Civil Protection Unit issued a statement warning
that the water levels in Zambezi river were expected to continue
rising from Kazungula to the confluence of Kariba dam. Usually
if this area is flooded it also affects the Caprivi Strip in
Namibia.
The statement also warned the river authorities, fishing companies,
safari lodges and all those involved in water borne social activities
to watch out for possible stronger and higher currents anticipate
within a few days to come. The Zimbabwe Red Cross disaster team
is already on standby. “We recently conduct some flood
disaster preparedness workshops and our teams are ready to be
deployed should the situation deteriorate,” says Mr. Desmond
Mudombi, the disaster manager for Zimbabwe Red Cross society.
The latest developments in Mozambique have been a serious cause
for concern. Reports indicated that floods have already killed
29 people and they are calls for international help to rescue
more than 500,000 people threatened by the rising water. The
government has already order people occupying the bank of the
river to move to higher ground. The government fears that this
could be more dramatic than 2000/2001 floods especially in the
central region where the Zambezi River and its tributaries -
the Shire and Revubue - have become swollen with waters from
Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“Our Red Cross societies in Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi
and Zimbabwe are currently busy on the ground, especially in
Mozambique and Angola where the situation is worse than any
other country, the volunteers are raising awareness for people
at grass root level to relocate in safer areas, providing first
aid, heath education, water chlorination and several other important
services in such an operation,” says Robert Kwesiga, the
Programmes coordinator for the International Federation in southern
Africa.
Malawi also experienced heavy rains from early January resulting
in flooding in the Lower Shire region affecting the districts
of Chikwawa and Nsanje. Malawi Red Cross Society together with
other stakeholders conducted an assessment in the affected areas.
A total of 20,061 households were affected when houses collapsed
and several hectares of crops damaged.
The two districts have received some assistance from the Government
and other stakeholders in terms of food and emergency kits.
To date the International Federation has allocated Malawi Red
Cross $ 71,000 to cater for shelter needs of the affected population,
which include 2.500 tarpaulins, 3 large tents, 50 Plastic sheeting
rolls and operational funds.
The torrential rains have so far caused extensive damage to
crops and property in main parts of Zambia. The country has
been receiving above normal rainfall which has negatively affected
a number of households across the country, especially North
western and Northern Provinces. Latest reports indicate that
Luangwa River which passes through Lusaka province recently
bursts its banks thereby affecting households along the banks.
The only road linking Luangwa town to the rest of the country
has been submerged thereby making the district inaccessible
by road.
“Essential supplies to the district cannot be delivered,
unless by air. If the situation continues for an extended period,
the district will run out of essential supplies,” says
Mr. Trust Hakulipa, the disaster manager for Zambia Red Cross
society adding that the assessment team failed to affected people.
In Mpulungu, a total of 1,900 people have been affected and
369 houses collapsed, Zambia Red Cross volunteers have been
on the ground providing relief to the affected people. Over
2,500 people were left homeless in Kapiri while in Solwezi 573
people had their houses swept away the floods. The Zambia Red
Cross has so far dispatched a relief materials comprising of
an assortment of relief items worth K77 million.
“Given the severity of the situation in Mozambique, we
are now mobilizing our resources and deploying our disaster
response expert team to support Mozambique Red Cross. Based
on the findings of the needs assessment, we will obviously be
calling for more resources to strengthen our support to our
Red Cross societies responding to the emergencies,” says
Françoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation’s
regional delegation in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Red
Cross National Societies are mobilizing their volunteers
and staff to help people affected by the floods. (p15365)
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Torrental
rains have been affecting southern Africa, flooding the
streets of many cities (here in Angola). (p15364)
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With
stagnant water everywhere, there is a high risk for water-borne
diseases o develop. Already, the number of cholera cases
are on the rise in Angola. (p15363)
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